Demographics of the US political participation worksheet 2

Race: participation

Educated blacks highest participation

Whites participation is high

Blacks participation less- unfair system is their belief

Hispanic participation is lowest-they dont want their names checked

Race: ideology

Whites: republican

Blacks: Democratic

Hispanic: Conservative

Education: Participation

Higher education: highest participation - they have greater political knowledge and awareness

Less education: less likely to vote

Education: ideology

Highly educated: democratic

Less educated: liberal

Age: participation

Older: higher participation

Younger: less participation

Age: ideology

Older: more conservative

Younger: liberal

Wealth/income: participation

Higher income: higher participation- they have more resources, time and education, eg Soros

Lower income: lower participation

Wealth/income: ideology

Higher income: conservative

Lower income: democratic

Sex/ gender: participation

Females: higher participation

Males: lower participation

Sex/gender: ideology

Women: democratic

Males: republican

Geography/region: participation

South: lower in some elections

West: Varies by state

North: Often higher in some states

Geography/ region: ideology

South: conservative / Republican

West: liberal

North: liberal/ democratic

Political socialisation

The process through which people develop their political beliefs, values, and attitudes.

Family: Parents influence a child’s political views.

Affirmative action

Definition: Policies designed to help address past discrimination and expand opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups, particularly in education and employment.

Example: A university considers how to create equal opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Suffrage/ franchise

Franchise (politics) means the right to vote in elections.

It is also called suffrage.

Example: The 15th Amendment gave Black men the right to vote, and the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

• Franchise = right to vote

• Suffrage = right to vote

Political alienation

When people feel disconnected from, dissatisfied with, or distrustful of the government and political system.

Example: A person believes politicians don’t listen to ordinary people, so they lose trust in the government and may stop voting.

Straight ticket voting

when a voter chooses candidates from the same political party for every office on the ballot.

Eg only democratic or only republican